117 Best Places to Shop in Venice, Italy

Signor De Marchi's swift hands turn wood into outstanding full-scale sculptures that perfectly reproduce everyday objects such as hats, laundry hung out to dry, telephones, jackets, books, fruit, lace—even underwear.

Craftswoman and architect Francesca Meratti and a team of local and international artisans combine traditional and contemporary design to create a mix of most-appealing objects, including dishware, carved wooden bowls, jewelry, and ceramic pieces.

Since 1997 the "Sea of Paper" has been Venice's best book and gift shop devoted to nautical themes. Books, calendars, navigation charts, and instruments, plus postcards, prints, toys, children's books and games, and even bags made of old sails are among the treasures you'll find here. There is also a wide variety of books on the Venetian lagoon and traditional Venetian boats.

The beautiful and elegant glass jewelry of Marina and Susanna Sent has been featured in Vogue. Look also for vases and other exceptional design pieces. Other locations are on the Fondamenta Serenella on Murano and in San Polo under the Sotoportego dei Oresi at Rialto.

Hailing from Turin, Massimiliano shows his love of his adopted city and Murano glassmaking in his eclectic lampwork creations. Pop in to see him at work, commission a piece, or browse the glassware, which varies from elegant wine glasses and sculptures to nautical-theme pieces and saucily themed jewelry.

Artists Maddalena Venier and Alessandro Salvadori of Materialmente envision "balancing the precious with the everyday." They succeed with a fascinating collection of fanciful, light-as-air sculpture, lamps, jewelry, and housewares.

These weekday markets stretch along the busy canal and nearby Strada Nova, where locals come to pick up fruit, vegetables, and fish.

The largest costume-rental showroom in town has outfitted many a period film (including Casanova). They have nearly 7,000 choices ranging from the historical to the fantastic, including thematic costumes ideal for group masquerades.

The exclusive dealer since 1967 of some of the most famous living artists on the Italian scene shows work by Venetian surrealist Ludovico De Luigi, metaphysical painter Andrea Vizzini, and glass sculptor Primo Formenti.

The Rialto fish, fruit, and vegetable markets have been operational in this same location for more than a thousand years. It's a food potpourri; scan the stalls to see what you might be dining on during your stay (or better yet, rent an apartment and experiment yourself). Look for the word "nostrano" when shopping to identify the most local fish and produce. For enthusiasts of seppie (cuttlefish), be aware that the older the fish is, the more black ink will be covering it.

The enticing selection of tasteful Murano glass accessories, figures, and chalices at Rose Douce includes jewelry made with antique Murano beads and braided gold.

The Japanese aesthetic is quite apparent in the ceramic and porcelain bowls, plates, vases, and teapots, with inviting clean, natural lines and muted colors, of artist-owner Maria Teresa Laghi and her collaborators. Her silk scarves are just as appealing.

Established in 1857, Salvadori features sparkling diamonds and other precious stones set in the shop's own designs. They have two other shops in Piazza San Marco that specialize in watches: Boutique Rolex (Piazza San Marco 44) and Panerai Venezia (Piazza San Marco 47).

A charmingly old-fashioned shop has no dressing room: you'll have to make do in a tiny corner behind a folding screen. The top-of-the-line silk lace shirts, are well worth the trouble, as are the lace cooking aprons.

What distinguishes family-owned and -operated Scheggi di Arlecchino is that many of their masks are inspired by the works of famous painters, including Picasso, Klimt, and de Chirico, to name but a few.

A delightful husband-and-wife team sells exclusive Italian-made crafts, along with maps, fine prints, and paintings by Italian and international artists.

Solid, large-piece jigsaw puzzles (painted or in natural wood colors) depict animals, views of Venice, and trompe l'oeil scenes. Ideal for toddlers, the puzzles also look nice hanging on a wall.

Mere steps from the Accademia, stocked with elegant yet understated fashion, this small shop will dress you for virtually any occasion. A coat, some slippers, a dress, a silk blouse, even a simple piece of jewelry or scarf from here will make your ordinary outfits sing. It's like having your own personal stylist.

For exquisite, vibrantly colored handmade glass and a meeting with the artist Stefano and his wife Nicoletta, seek out the serene convent cloister of the Santi Cosma e Damiano. Call in advance to make sure the studio is open.

This store has arguably the best selection, in both quality and quantity, of handmade masks in Venice. Gualtiero Dall'Osto studied art at the Accademia and is a trove of historical information as well as an excellent source of information about Carnevale parties. The shop also turns out a limited number of costumes made from hand-printed cotton fabric.

One of three outlets in Venice, this Roman business inspired by travel and ethical goods is filled with unusual gifts and fashion accessories, from recycled aluminum jewelry and scarves to men's wallets and hats.

Pop in and see Michele at work in his workshop and browse the wonderful glass creations, including various jewelry pieces and glass-ball bottle stoppers. The vibrant handcrafted objects here are far more affordable than in many overpriced glass outlets in Venice.

Fresh foods, including farm-fresh cheeses and other dairy products, are available at the morning market near the Giardini della Biennale. There's also a handy Coop supermarket nearby. 

These sassy shoes have just enough fantasy to be stylish, but not too much to be over the top.

Clothing and accessories here have a definite Eastern feel. Owner Federica Zamboni is also a jewelry expert; ask to see her collection of antique Indian necklaces and earrings.